King Sejong Station, located 17,240 kilometers from Seoul on King George Island in the Antarctic, celebrated its 20th birthday Feb. 17. The island is about 95 percent covered with ice and snow. A grand view of King Sejong Station.

/ Courtesy of Korea Polar Research Institute

By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter

The South Pole is one of the few places on Earth untouched by development or pollution. It is mankind's last hope, a last reservoir of resources. Sejong Base Camp, located on Antarctica's King George Island, some 17,240 kilometers from Seoul, celebrated its 20th anniversary Feb. 17.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, King Sejong Station was expanded, improving its facilities to accommodate up to 100 researchers, up from the current 60. Also, the Korea Polar Research Institute plans to commission an ice-breaking research vessel in 2009 and pursue in earnest its plan to build a base on Antarctica.

South Korea began to pursue a base after becoming the 33rd signatory to the Antarctic Treaty in November 1986. Sejong Base Camp, its resident science camp, was completed Feb. 17, 1988. Numerous researchers who have worked at the camp have achieved many scientific feats.

In 2003, a natural gas reservoir with a capacity that exceeds by 300-fold South Korea's annual consumption, was found in the Antarctic seas. Research into plankton in the Antarctic Ocean paved the way for world's first technology that allows blood to remain unchanged even when stored at low temperatures. A meteorite investigation team found meteorites both this and last year, endorsing South Korea's status as the world's fifth country to find meteorites. Researchers also cooperate with international teams to conduct yearlong research into the environment.

Antarctica is the sole place on Earth where gains from science research are recognized as gains for the nation. South Korea, through the Korea Polar Research Institute, controls the overall management of research in distant places.

Because of the vast natural resources of the Antarctic, countries are pouring heavy investment into the region. As man-made pollution prompts severe concerns and changes in ecology as seen with climate warming, the role of Sejong Base Camp is growing ever more vital.